CJ, as the community prefers to call him, was an altar server from Our Lady of Solitude Parish and affiliated server of St. Mary Magdalene Parish, both in Kawit, Cavite since 1996. He was only 9 years old at that time. (He was a legionary – member of the Legion of Mary – at even much younger age. He was seven.) Like any young boy eager to don the cassock and the surplice to serve at the altar, he already felt the desire to become a man of the cloth.

After four years as altar server, he was tasked to train younger boys aspiring to do the same. In the process, he also became involved in planning the liturgy and developed a liking for it. He spent his growing up years in both ministries.

When he went to assist Fr. Bernie I. Gacelo, a diocesan priest of the Diocese of Imus whom he considers to be his mentor, CJ also became the formator and adviser for altar servers in St. John Nepomucene Parish in Alfonso, Cavite and, later on, in St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Trece Martires City, Cavite. Even at a very young age, CJ took seriously the opportunity to serve God through the church. He adapted a latin maxim as his personal motto, “Servire Deum in Mortis.” It means, “I will serve God until death.”

While working in the parish, he was able to complete his school. He earned his college degree in Psychology. However, his church involvement, gaining for him knowledge and experiences about the doctrines of the Church, led him to become a religion teacher in one of the parochial schools of the diocese.

When Fr. Serg was assigned in St. Jude Thaddeus Parish as a Deacon from August 2011 to March 2012, CJ’s desire to become a priest was rekindled. During that time, the CJM charisma and mission were introduced to him. He felt attracted to become a Eudist. After frequent visits at the Ave Cor Eudist House in Tagaytay, he formalized his application and got accepted to become a seminarian of the CJM. He is currently enrolled at Loyola School of Theology taking Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB).